Improvement in can-openers



initiiert tant JOHN A. WELLS-OF HOLLY SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI.

Letters Patent No.,93,505, dated August 10,4869.

IMPROVEMENT IN CAN-OPENERS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters atent and making part of the yBerne.

To all whom z'tmay concern: k p v Bc it known that I, JOHN A. WELLS, of Holly Springs, in the county of Marshall, and State of Mississippi, haveinvented-a new and useful Improvement in Gan-Openers; and l do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof,

which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specication.

This invention relates to a new and improved machine for opening tin cans, such cans as are used for containing and preserving (air-tight) oysters and various kinds' of fruits, vegetables, meats, and extracts of various kinds; and consists in the construction and arrangementof parts, as hereinafter described.

1n the accompanyingsheet of drawings- Figure l represents an elevation of the machine, placed upon a table or bench as when in use.

Figure 2 is a detached view of the adjustable holding-lever. Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts. il

This machine consists of a standing frame, A, which is attachedin any suitablemanner to a bench'or table, (the latter is seen in red color .in the drawing;) a screw, B, carrying 'a cutter', C, and an adj nstable holding-lever, 1),.contined and operating in Slots in the stands E of the frame.

F is a head on the end of the screw B, to one side of which the cutter C is attached, by a screw-bolt, G.

H is a crank ou the upper end ofthe screw.'

The top piece I, of the frame, forms one-half the nut for the screw, and the piece J, which is hinged and bolted to I, forms the other half.-

On the under side of the holding-lever D there are two (more or less) spikes or spurs, which, when the lever is brought down on to the top of the can, as seen in the drawing, penetrate the can and prevent it from turning round. When the can is thus placed, and securedunder the lever, the screw is turned down, the point of the cutter G will penetrate the can, and a single revolution of the screw will cut a circle from the can corresponding in diameter with that described by the cutter. This may be larger or smaller, according to the position ofthe cutter.

K is a slot for 'adjusting the fulcrum of the holdinglever, so as to suit cans Of different heights.V By this machine, the diiiicult operation of opening cans is rendered simple and easy.

As Seen in iig. 2,the lever 1) contains an open Acircle, L, within which the cutter is rotated.

Having thus described my invention,

I claim 'as new,'and desire to secure by Letters Patent L The frame A, adjustable holding-lever D, screw B, and cutterY C, constructed, arranged, and Operating in combination with each other, substantially as herein shown anddcscribed, for the purposes set forth.

, J OHN A. \VELLS.

Witnesses: A. E. MOORE, JAMES W. Goonwrx. 

